Scavenger Dash obstacle races, mud run, and OCR information, distance, cost, dates, calendar, discounts, obstacles, reviews, and more
Overview | Part adventure race, part scavenger hunt and a whole lotta fun!, Nationwide USA | |
Launched | 2009 | |
Events | (23) 2012, (30+) 2013 | |
Upcoming | See all upcoming events at the bottom of the page. | |
Kids | No | |
Age | 12+ | |
Distance | wo person teams are given an envelope containing a list of twelve clues. Upon solving them, teams head out to checkpoints around town completing challenges, riddles, and puzzles while laughing all the way to the finish line. Average distance is around 5-8 foot miles, however, participants are allowed to use public transportation, which includes city buses and trains. In some cities, for example Chicago, the overall course distance can be over 12 miles. | |
Terrain | Varies by location, races could start in a park, on city streets or at an establishment. | |
Gear | Wear whatever you'd typically wear for a day out roaming the streets. Some Comfy running/walking shoes will make your day more fun. Matching outfits are encouraged, or better yet, wear some cool costumes for a chance to win a prize! |
Scavenger Races are all about fun, and 95% of the participants are here for exactly that. Some actually sign up thinking it's a bar crawl – which it's not – but the fact that it often starts and finishes in a bar lends to that understanding.
Scavenger Dash was launched in 2009 by Rick Eastman, the founder of Sierra Adventure Sports who also put on the Mad Mud Run
In the early 2000's, Rick signed up and participated in a now-defunct race called Urban Challenge which was essentially billed as an adventure race in a city. The adventure intrigued him enough that he began putting on adventure races of his own in 2003, launched Mad Mud Run in 2007, and he turned his attention to creating a similar type of “scavenger-hunt race” of his own – and Scavenger Dash was born.
Scavenger Dash made it's 5 city tour debut in Omaha, NE and was a hit; in the following two years we expanded to approximately twenty five cities across the US. As evidenced the exponential growth of obstacle races and mud runs, it was becoming increasingly obvious that people wanted to participate in more than just a typical 5k, they wanted adventure, mental challenges and puzzle-solving mixed in with their exercise.
At the beginning of the race, each two-person team is given an envelope that contains twelve clues they need to solve. This clue sheet also serves as their passport; complete the clues, then venture to the checkpoints indicated by each of the answers, and follow the instructions they will find there.
At some points teams complete a challenge, at others take a picture, and some receive a stamp for on their passport. All challenges are completable by nearly anyone and teams also have the option of skipping one of the twelve clues – strategy will play a big role in which to skip. Teams may also have a mandatory clue, which will be indicated on the clue sheet.
Teams have many ways to solve clues: Asking strangers, the library, a smartphone, they can even carry a laptop – if one of the teammates does not mind hauling it around. The most important resource a team can have is a great “Pit Crew” as your phone-a-friend. Calling someone at home who has web access can make a huge difference in solving clues.
Races may contain one or more Detours, which is a choice between two challenges. Teams can choose the one they think will be fastest – or the most fun.
One big advantage that many teams fail to overlook is forming alliances. Just like on the TV show Survivor, teams may form alliances with other teams, if only to solve the clues. The faster teams are able solve the clues, the faster they can complete the course.
Previous Scavenger Dash Events
Click an event name to view the event details. Scroll past this, or click here to see the review section- Race discount More info
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August 21, 2016Learn MoreColorado Springs Colorado Scavenger Dash 2016
Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse and Pub, Colorado Springs, CO, United States -
August 20, 2016Learn MoreDenver Colorado Scavenger Dash 2016
Blake Street Tavern, Denver, CO, United States -
June 19, 2016Learn MoreKansas City Missouri Scavenger Dash 2016
Johnny’s Tavern, Kansas City, MO, United States -
June 18, 2016Learn MoreOmaha Nebraska Scavenger Dash 2016
Buffalo Wild Wings Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States -
January 23, 2016Learn MorePhoenix Arizona Scavenger Dash 2016
Dos Gringos, Scottsdale, AZ, United States -
December 12, 2015Learn MorePhoenix Arizona Scavenger Dash Blitz 2015
TGI Friday’s Front Row, Phoenix, AZ, United States -
November 14, 2015Learn MoreLas Vegas Nevada Scavenger Dash 2015
Stripburger, Las Vegas, NV, United States -
November 08, 2015Learn MoreTucson Arizona Scavenger Dash 2015
The Hut, Tucson, AZ, United States -
November 07, 2015Learn MorePhoenix Arizona Scavenger Dash at Night 2015
Macayo’s Depot Cantina, Tempe, AZ, United States -
September 27, 2015Learn MoreReno Nevada Scavenger Dash 2015
Our Bar, Reno, NV, United States -
September 26, 2015Learn MoreSacramento California Scavenger Dash 2015
River City Saloon, Sacramento, CA, United States -
August 23, 2015Learn MoreColorado Springs Colorado Scavenger Dash 2015
Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse and Pub, Colorado Springs, CO, United States -
August 22, 2015Learn MoreDenver Colorado Scavenger Dash 2015
Blake Street Tavern, Denver, CO, United States -
August 01, 2015Learn MoreFlagstaff Arizona Scavenger Dash Blitz 2015
Collins Irish Pub, Flagstaff, AZ, United States -
June 21, 2015Learn MoreKansas City Missouri Scavenger Dash 2015
The Foundry, Kansas City, MO, United States -
June 20, 2015Learn MoreOmaha Nebraska Scavenger Dash 2015
Crescent Moon Ale House, Omaha, NE, United States -
June 13, 2015Learn MoreChicago Illinois Scavenger Dash 2015
Citizen Bar, Chicago, IL, United States -
November 09, 2013Learn MoreLas Vegas Nevada Scavenger Dash 2013
Stripburger, Las Vegas, NV, United States -
November 03, 2013Learn MoreTucson Arizona Scavenger Dash 2013
The Hut, Tucson, AZ, United States -
November 02, 2013Learn MorePhoenix Arizona Night Scavenger Dash 2013
TBA Old Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ, United States -
September 15, 2013Learn MorePortland Oregon Scavenger Dash 2013
Ringlers, Portland, OR, United States -
September 14, 2013Learn MoreSeattle Washington Scavenger Dash 2013
Fuel, Seattle, WA, United States -
September 08, 2013Learn MoreSan Francisco California Scavenger Dash 2013
The Chieftain, San Francisco, CA, United States -
September 07, 2013Learn MoreSacramento California Scavenger Dash 2013
Pizza Rock, Sacramento, CA, United States -
August 25, 2013Learn MoreColorado Springs Colorado Scavenger Dash 2013
Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse and Pub, Colorado Springs, CO, United States -
August 24, 2013Learn MoreDenver Colorado Scavenger Dash 2013
Blake Street Tavern, Denver, CO, United States -
July 21, 2013Learn MoreKansas City Missouri Scavenger Dash 2013
The Foundry, Kansas City, MO, United States -
July 20, 2013Learn MoreOmaha Nebraska Scavenger Dash 2013
The Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill, Omaha, NE, United States -
June 09, 2013Learn MoreMilwaukee Wisconsin Scavenger Dash 2013
Catch 22, Milwaukee, WI, United States -
June 08, 2013Learn MoreChicago Illinois Scavenger Dash 2013
The Snuggery, Chicago, IL, United States -
April 21, 2013Learn MoreNew York City New York Scavenger Dash 2013
sideBAR (at Union Square), New York, NY, United States -
April 20, 2013Learn MoreBoston Massachusetts Scavenger Dash 2013
Battery Park Bar & Lounge, Boston, MA, United States -
April 14, 2013Learn MorePhiladelphia Pennsylvania Scavenger Dash 2013
McGillin’s Olde Ale House, Philadelphia, PA, United States -
April 13, 2013Learn MoreWashington DC Scavenger Dash 2013
Union Pub, Washington, DC, United States -
November 10, 2012Learn MoreLas Vegas Scavenger Dash 2012
Stripburger, Las Vegas, NV, United States -
November 04, 2012Learn MoreTucson Scavenger Dash 2012
TBA Tucscon AZ, Tuscon, AZ, United States -
November 03, 2012Learn MorePhoenix Night Scavenger Dash 2012
TBA Phoenix AZ, Phoenix, AZ, United States -
September 16, 2012Learn MorePortland Scavenger Dash 2012
Ringlers, Portland, OR, United States -
September 15, 2012Learn MoreSeattle Scavenger Dash 2012
Fuel, Seattle, WA, United States -
September 08, 2012Learn MoreSan Francisco Scavenger Dash 2012
The Chieftain, San Francisco, CA, United States
Browse our calendar of upcoming mud runs mud races & obstacle races for Scavenger Dash
Scavenger Dash Reviews from the Community
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Scavenger Dash Boston 2013 Review
The Scavenger Dash rolled into Boston recently and we decided to give it a shot. Since we have completed various scavenger hunts throughout the city last year, we were feeling confident about our chances. Being promoted as a wildly fun urban adventure, Scavenger Dash involves teams of two solving clues, scavenging items, taking photos and completing fun challenges. Two person teams are given a sheet of twelve clues. Upon solving 11 out of 12 of them, the teams head out to different checkpoints throughout the city. All teams are restricted to either traveling by foot or public transit only.
Unfortunately, the scavenger hunt was scheduled for April 20, 2013, which was only five days after the Boston Marathon terrorist attack. After discussing whether or not to even participate in the event, we eventually decided to do it. The morning started out rainy but cleared up in the early afternoon. We hopped on the subway and headed to Aquarium station. A short walk later, we arrived at the start/finish line located at Battery Park Bar & Lounge. We signed in, got our number and was given a crayon to be used during the hunt. We spent the next half hour sizing up the competition and strategizing until we were summoned out front for the start.
The race official had announced that a few teams had decided to transfer to future events and about half of the other teams had not shown up. I would estimate that there were between 10-15 teams remaining to compete. The official then read a clue to everyone that would direct us to the location of our clue sheet. Once the clue was read, we were given a minute to solve it and were sent on our way. We thought we knew the answer from a previous scavenger hunt but we were wrong! When we finally located the correct location, almost all the other teams had already received their clue sheets and were working on the answers. Since we were a few minutes behind, we knew we had to get moving. We spent about 15-20 minutes solving the clues and planning our attack. After formulating a route on our map, we were off and running!
The only public transportation we used was a subway trip from the waterfront area to the Boston Common. The rest of the time, we ran to the clues. I would estimate we ran between 5-8 miles total. The answers were spread throughout the city, including the Frog Pond at the Boston Common, a penguin statue at the Aquarium, a large mural near the waterfront and the Hard Rock Cafe at Faneuil Hall. We also had to return with a pair of chopsticks that we picked up at PF Changs while running through Chinatown. There were also two physical and mental challenges that had to be completed. The first one involved making an origami shirt out of a dollar bill. The other challenge was a bit trickier. We were blindfolded and instructed to work together to tie a bow around a tree. However, in order to accomplish this, we were only allowed to use one hand each. Miraculously, we were able to tie the bow in our first attempt. The final clue led us to the Christopher Columbus statue. We were instructed to use the crayon supplied to us at the beginning to make a rubbing on the back of the clue sheet of the last name of one of Columbus' captains.
Picture
Once we confirmed that we had completed all of the checkpoints, we raced back to the start. We returned in under two hours and were feeling confident. When we entered the bar, the official seemed surprised that we were back so quickly (obviously a good sign!) After reviewing our answers, we were told that we were the first team finished. We won!! We were given our Scavenger Dash T-shirts and dog tags for participating in the event. Also, for winning the scavenger hunt, we received free into a future event and an additional first place set of dog tags. We enjoyed a few beers to celebrate our victory and then headed home. It was a perfect Boston afternoon to spend racing through the city. The event was well organized and the clues were quite challenging. We will definitely be back to defend our title next year!